Obama to award Medal of Freedom to Albright

WASHINGTON 
President Barack Obama will award the Medal of Freedom to former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

It's the nation's highest civilian honor.

Albright was the first woman named Secretary of State, serving under former President Bill Clinton. Albright now runs a global strategy firm in Washington.

Obama says Albright's life is an inspiration to all Americans. The president issued a statement saying her scholarship and insight continue to make the world a better, more peaceful place.

Other recipients of this year's Medal of Freedom include Pat Summitt, the longtime University of Tennessee women's basketball coach, and Jan Karski (YAHN KAHR'-skee), who was among the first people to provide accounts of the Holocaust to the world.